First things first: the West Coast offense finally arrived Saturday against Iowa.

Perry Patterson connected on most of his three- and five-step drops and Curtis Brinkley found plenty of creases behind zone blocking.

Though Syracuse managed only one touchdown and couldn’t take advantage of four interceptions-nowhere near the Greatest Show on Turf-the offense played its most consistent game in the Greg Robinson era.

Seriously, freshmen.

But in crunch time, the Orange reminded everyone of its feeble interpretation of the West Coast offense in its first 12 games.

In the first overtime, Tim Lane dropped an easy touchdown.

And in the second overtime, Syracuse failed on seven attempts from the Hawkeye 2 or closer.

No. 14 Iowa grudgingly prevailed, 20-13, thanks to the goal-line stand, extending Syracuse’s school-record losing streak to 11 games in front of 37,199 at the Carrier Dome.

The Hawkeyes nearly caved to an enormous upset after Jason Manson started in place of an injured Drew Tate (abdominal strain) at quarterback.

Offensive coordinator Brian White took offense to the repeated questions about his play-calling in the last series-preferring reporters to ask about, for example, Patterson’s 21-of-38 for 210-yard day-but ultimately everyone wanted to know about the end.

White adamantly stated he regretted none of his calls.

‘I don’t know what else to tell you,’ White said. ‘Really, seriously, what do you want me to say? I have no idea what else to say other than other than the fact I like to give credit where credit is due. Iowa made the plays at the critical moments of the football game and we didn’t.

‘We’re really close. I hope that some of the people that came and watched that game recognized that we’re close. Come along for the ride. It’s going to be fun.’

Trailing by a touchdown with first-and-goal at the Iowa 2-yard line, fullback Tony Fiammetta gained one yard before losing one-his first two carries of the game. A pass interference call on Iowa’s Marcus Paschal gave SU another first-and-goal from the 2.

Fiammetta blasted twice more to the 1 before Patterson gained zilch on an option left. Then Paul Chiara found nothing up the middle after a fake end around to Rice Moss.

‘We had a plan by changing the formation and using different personnel,’ Robinson said of the final play. ‘We changed the motion and the ground play had been good to that point. They did a good job and give them credit.’

Robinson preferred not to sneak Patterson.

‘We didn’t feel good about it,’ Robinson said. ‘We felt that the way they were set up and the way they were lined up, they were sitting there waiting for us.’

The game presented yet another opportunity, despite the program’s recent troubles, for Syracuse to defeat a ranked opponent at home.

The Orange lost to No. 8 Florida State, 17-13, in 2004 and No. 25 Virginia, 27-24, in 2005.

But at least for the first time under Robinson the offense truly resembled the West Coast variety.

On nine of its 14 possessions, Syracuse earned at least one first down. Six possessions could actually be called drives-two first downs or more. SU went 9-for-20 on third downs a week after a dismal 2-of-12.

Curtis Brinkley established himself as the clear leader at running back with 68 yards on 15 carries. And five different wide receivers caught at least two passes: Lane (7), Taj Smith (5), Lavar Lodbell (2), Moss (2) and Mike Williams (2).

Patterson, who opened the scoring with a three-yard touchdown pass to Smith on SU’s opening possession, downplayed his one-touchdown, zero-interception performance, saying only, ‘There’s a lot things I could’ve done a lot better.’

After tying the game on a one-yard touchdown reception by Scott Chandler in the second quarter, the Hawkeyes appeared to notch the winning points on Kyle Schlicher’s 24-yard field goal with 22 seconds remaining in the third.

But Patrick Shadle tied matters at 10-10 on a 41-yard field goal with six seconds left in regulation.

Each team kicked a field goal in the first overtime before Iowa’s Albert Young opened the second overtime with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Then, after moving the ball for four quarters and one overtime at its most consistent rate in recent memory, Syracuse failed seven times from 72 inches or less.

‘No, there are no moral victories,’ Robinson said. ‘This team needs to win.’

Published on September 9, 2006 at 12:00 pm